“If here has come thy sister’s son From the native land of both, To do him ne’er any kind of hurt, I swear by my highest oath.”

It was the lofty Rosmer King To two serving swains did call: “Bid ye proud Swanelil’s sister’s son Attend me in the hall.”

It was Swanelil’s sister’s son, Before Rosmer should appear; His heart it fluttered, his body it shivered, He stood in such mighty fear.

p. 20Then took Rosmer her sister’s son, Placed him upon his knee; He stroked him so tenderly on the face That ’twas yellow and blue to see.

p. 20

Then answered proud Dame Swanelil:  “Thou forget’st, Sir Rosmer, mayhap, Thou hast not fingers small enough To stroke so little a chap.”

And he was there till the years were five, Then he longed for his native land: “Now cause, O sister Swanelil, That I’m set on the yellow strand.”

It was proud Dame Swanelil  ’Fore Rosmer goes to stand; “The swain so long has been by the sea, That he sighs for his native land.”

“If the swain has been so long by the sea That he sighs for his native land, I will give him a chest of gold, To be subject to his hand.”

p. 21“Wilt thou give him a chest of gold, To be subject to his hand? Hear thou now, my noble heart’s dear, Take him to his native land.”

p. 21

It was proud Dame Swanelil, So cunning a trick she played; She took thereout the ruddy gold all, And herself in the chest she laid.

He took the man upon his back, And the chest in his mouth he’s ta’en; And so he went the long, long way Across the land and the main.

“Now have I borne thee to thy land, Thou seest both sun and moon; I conjure thee by the highest God Name Swanelil to none.”

Rosmer sprang into the sea amain, The water splashed to the sky; And when he came to the mountain home No Swanelil could he spy,

p. 22When he came to the mountain home Gone was the belov’d of his heart; He sprang so wild about the hill, And changed to a flint rock swart.

p. 22

There was rejoicing in Hellelil’s court, They rejoiced in many a way; Back to their friends her 

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